Pedophiles On The Move? Joliet Funds New Cunningham Neighborhood Park

JOLIET — The Joliet City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday night to spend about $100,000 to finally build a neighborhood park near the site of the two-story apartment building at 1000 Cora that is known by some as "the pedophile palace."

Back in 2022, the previous Joliet city administration of Jim Capparelli purchased the corner lot at 1000 North Center Street in hopes of building a playground here. City officials contended that opening a public park would drive away the out-of-town company that provides rental housing at 1000 Cora Street to several convicted sex offenders who have served out their prison terms.

However, back in 2022 and 2023, city officials never finished the park project, and the sex offenders are now in their third year in Joliet's Cunningham neighborhood.

At the urging of the Cunningham Neighborhood Association, Joliet's new community development director Dustin Anderson has taken the initiative to get the new Cunningham Neighborhood park built.

"My mission? The neighborhood wanted a park, and we're delivering on our promise," Anderson told Joliet Patch during Friday's interview.

As far as whether construction of the new city park will force the cluster of sex offenders to vacate 1000 Cora St., Anderson said that is a question for Joliet's Legal Department.

"Again, that's not a Dustin decision. I'm not a law enforcement officer, and I'm not an attorney. Our police department is top-notch as is our legal department," Anderson told Joliet Patch.

A long-time town manager in Munster, Indiana, Anderson joined Joliet as a consultant in April, and he was made a full-time department head in August by city manager Beth Beatty.

The item on Tuesday night's agenda is an ordinance approving a special use permit to allow a public park at 1000 N. Center St.

"We've got a vacant lot that we want to make nice, 1000 North Center Street," Anderson said.

Anderson said the future name of the park is to be determined.

He said the small park will feature benches and tables for people to sit and read or perhaps play chess. The park will not have slides and swings. Anderson said the new park for Cunningham Neighborhood will be considered "passive green space."

"It's not like a play-focused space," Anderson explained. "I would like to be open in late spring or early summer 2025. A lot of this is dependent on native plantings."

Summaries of past Joliet Patch articles about the so-called "Pedophile Palace," are below:

September 2023

The 'Pedophile Palace:' Neighborhood Park Doesn't Get Built By Joliet

JOLIET, IL — It's been 16 months since Joliet Patch broke the news of the so-called "Pedophile Palace," the two-story apartment building at 1000 Cora St., where as many as 11 convicted sexual predators all live together under the same roof on the city's west side.

December 2022

'Pedophile Palace' Increases To 8? Will Joliet Close It Down In 2023?

JOLIET, IL —Seven months after Joliet Patch broke the news of Cunningham Neighborhood's so-called "Pedophile Palace," as many as eight convicted child sexual predators may be residing at 1000 Cora St., according to the Illinois State Police sex offender registry.

June 2022

'Pedophile Palace' In Joliet: Republican Candidates Vow Action

JOLIET, IL — Five child sexual predators who have no ties to Joliet are continuing to adjust to their new surroundings at 1000 Cora St,, and their presence in the Cunningham Neighborhood continues to spark outrage from several political candidates in next Tuesday's primaries.

May 2022

5 Sexual Predators Move Into Joliet West Side Neighborhood

JOLIET, IL — An expanding company that specializes in finding affordable housing for sex offenders in parts of Illinois now owns a property on Joliet's west side where at least five out of town convicted sexual predators are residing. All of them committed crimes against children between the ages of 8 and 13, Joliet Patch has learned.

Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit to Allow a Public Park

Located at 1000 N. Center St. (ZBA 2024-41)